White Beaches On The Florida Gulf-Siesta Key Is Tops

Siesta by definition means a short nap taken in the early afternoon. When you visit the barrier island, Siesta Key, off the shores of Sarasota, napping is the furthest thing on your mind with all the things you can do. Although, laying in the warm Florida sun on some of its whitest beaches, a short nap may catch you off guard as you are surrounded by the soothing sounds and smells of the water.

Siesta Key is eight miles long and connected to the mainland by two bridges, Siesta Drive and Stickney Point Road. Siesta Drive is within the City of Sarasota and provides convenient access to the city, while Stickney Point Road provides access to south Sarasota County and a direct route to Interstate 75. Siesta Key's beaches have the honorary distinction of being one of “America’s Best Beaches", “Third Best Walking Beach in the USA,” by USA Today International Edition, and “The Best of the Best Sand,” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.

Great place for enjoying water sports of all kinds, bird watching, golf, dining, shopping, and for the heartier vacationer, plenty of night life after the sun goes down. Check out Gilligan’s Tropical Bar located in the Village. World-class volley ball tournaments, craft shows, art exhibits, and food and wine tastings are just a few of the many scheduled annual events. Florida fishing for the angler is always great.

Plenty of resorts and accommodations are provided for your convenience and relaxation. Top rated attractions and restaurants in the Sarasota and Siesta Key area. Come stick your toes in some of the whitest, softest, coolest sand on the Gulf Coast.-Vacation Rick Travel

Amelia Island-Not Just Another Florida Island

One summer while staying on Jacksonville Beach, we decided to take a drive up the coastline along Florida A1A. At one point of our journey, we had to board a ferry called Saint Johns River Ferry to continue our trek. The scenery was beautiful and the beaches great. There was a stretch of beach in Little Talbot Island State Park onto which we drove our four wheel drive vehicle. Driving along the surf was an exilerating experience. From there, we continued northward on Florida A1A and crossed a bridge that took us to Amelia Island. Up till then, I didn't know Amelia Island existed.

Amelia Island is the southernmost of the barrier islands stretching along the coast from South Carolina to Florida called the Sea Islands. It is south of Cumberland Island, Georgia. It is considered the only community in the United States to have experienced life under eight different flags. The island has a long and illustrious history that goes back 4,000 years. Amelia Island has a natural deep harbor on the north end of the island, which provided easy access for smugglers, pirates, and assorted sea captains.

Today, Amelia Island attracts a wide variety of recreational and commercial activity. For the vacationer, it features activities from golf and tennis at world-class resorts to kayaking, sunset sails and horseback riding on the beach. It has river cruises and charters, fishing, a museum, a community theatre, and walking tours of Historic Fernandina Beach. Or maybe you just want to take a quiet walk to enjoy the unique variety of birds and wildlife. To top it off, there are the 13 miles of beautiful, sandy beaches for taking in the warm Florida sun either to lay out on, walk on, or collect seashells.

Amelia Island offers a 1350 acre beach resort called Amelia Island Plantation. The resort offers four Audubon International certified sanctuary golf courses, 23 Har-Tru tennis courts, holistic spa, shopping village, year around youth programs, Nature Center, and Segway tours. Plenty of other resorts and hotels to choose from.

Marco Island Florida-Perfect Vacation Spot

The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort offers amenities and accommodations in a pristine setting. Close to many of the areas golf courses, the resort is three miles from a river marina and 52 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport. The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa is a AAA 4 Diamond deluxe 11 story resort only minutes from World class golfing, The Florida Everglades National Park and some of Southwest Florida's best shopping, dining and recreational activities. The lobby features marble floors, crystal chandeliers and brass accents and offers the largest guest rooms on the island-297 guest rooms including 22 Gulf view one bedroom suites, and 4 luxuriously appointed two bedroom penthouses. Choose from sailing, parasailing, waverunners, kayaking or even experience unique Eco-tour and shelling excursions - directly off our beach! Enjoy tennis, volleyball, and championship golf is only a short drive away. More information on Florida vacations at Vacation Rick Travel.

Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club-West Coast Florida

Do you enjoy the white powder sand of the Sun Coast of Florida? Check out the Naples area and the Naples Beach Hotel. The 125-acre hotel is located approximately 20 blocks from Naples Pier And two miles from Tin City. Naples Municipal Airport is five miles from the hotel. The 318 guestrooms offer panoramic views of either the Gulf Of Mexico, the golf course or the landscaped grounds. A variety of themed rooms are available. Beach - Adjacent. Area Attractions are Tin City Shops - 2.0 miles, Caribbean Gardens - 2.0 miles, Village on Venetian Bay - 3.0 miles, Waterside Shops - 5.0 miles, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra - 5.0 miles, Naples Museum of Art - 5.0 miles, and Everglades Wonder Gardens - 14.0 miles. Hotel Virtual Tour. More information go to Vacation Rick Travel.